Sunday, 25 March 2012

Publishers Rizzoli will be releasing a new book on Antonio later this year, titled ANTONIO LOPEZ, Fashion, Art, Sex and Disco, by Mauricio and Roger Padilha.

The only two other books on his work that I know of are the 2004 book Antonio's People, which chronicled not only his illustration work but his career, his story, the people he met and his journey (note; some amazon reviewers dispute that there isn't enough illustration), the illustrated erotic novel Antonio's Tales from the Thousand and One Nights, and then the considerably rarer Antonio's Girls, published back in 1983.

I've been following the facebook page for the book here, which gives out some fantastic and regular information on the development, which mentions the book will include interviews with the likes of Rene Russo, Claude Montana and Janice Dickinson, and help has come from Lopez's long term partner Juan Ramos, Anna Sui and Andre Leon Talley.
Antonio's importance and influence as an illustrator are not to be underestimated. He is considered by some to be one of the last big time prolific fashion illustrators, working on countless fashion campaigns and editorials before the fashion industry resigned illustration to being the 'alternative' in favour of photography. His strength lied in the ability to produce varying styles of imagery and illustration in different materials, as opposed to having one key identifiable style.

I've pondered on whether to do a large blog post on Lopez much like all the others, but it would need more consideration, out of all the illustrators I research, Lopez seems to have the largest body of work, and it would need some serious editing due to the scope and volume of his career, so maybe it's best to wait for the book . . .

Monday, 12 March 2012

I recently discovered one of newcomer Jason Lear's illustrations on the AnotherLoves blog which prompted me to seek out more of his work. His most recent commission for Disorder Magazine saw him interpret looks from London Fashion Week, some of which I've posted here.

There's no doubt that Jason understands and utilises markmaking with his quick lines and choice of materials. A strong sense of energy and speed is present in his drawings that remind me of the styles of current illustrators Francesca Waddell and Lovissa Burfitt. His style of blending energetic pen lines and scribbled lines alongside more fully realized details fall inline perfectly with the classically favored illustrators that convey more with less, ala Rene Bouche, Downton etc. Lear is definitely one to watch.Visit his website here.